PC Freebie Blends Hogwarts Legacy With Stardew Valley, I'm In Love

Steam Next Fest always delivers the goods, and I’d argue that’s especially the case if you’re a cosy gamer.

There may only be a few days of the event left, but it’s not too late to dive into Steam Next Fest before it draws to a close on 2 March.

It’s a great opportunity to sample tons of free demos, allowing you to sift through what you do and don’t want on your wishlist.

Hey, you might even unearth the next big indie hit.

All genres are represented in the event but Steam Next Fest always has a strong line-up of cosy games.

There’s one I’d like to direct your attention towards today and that’s Greenhearth Necromancer.

Wield Magical Spells To Revive “Living and Undead Plants Alike”

As you might have gathered from the title, it blends gardening with magic hence my likening the game to both Stardew Valley and Hogwarts Legacy.

Developed by Silverstring Media Inc, Greenhearth Necromancer refers to itself as a “cosy, witchy, semi-idle game about caring for living and undead plants alike”.

“Grow cute plants in your balcony garden, cast spells, and brew potions, enjoying the chill idle gameplay and ambience throughout your day,” the synopsis teases.

Your balcony garden is packed with plenty of pots and planters, filled with curious flora and fauna - and it’s up to you to ensure everything thrives.

In order to do that, you’ll need to deliver the right amount of water and fertiliser, ward off pests, as well as brew potions and learn spells that you can also use to help your plants.

Spells, for example, can resurrect plants, speed up growth, or imbue them with necromantic energy.

There is a light narrative guiding players through Greenhearth Necromancer.

indie.io

This balcony garden belongs to your late grandmother. Throughout your time with the game, you’ll get to know both your neighbours and your grandmother’s familial spirit, Compostifer.

The story comes from the BAFTA nominated writer of indie hit I Was a Teenage Exocolonist.

If you don’t fancy anything too taxing, you can simply leave Greenhearth Necromancer running in the background while you carry on with your work.

There are various audio options including lo-fi beats.

It sounds delightful - so it’s a good job you can currently try it out amidst Steam Next Fest.

This isn’t the game’s first demo, but this latest iteration has overhauled the UI, added optional tutorials for all mechanics, introduced two new planets, as well as various other potions, pesticides, and fertilisers.

The contagion system has also been overhauled, and devs have added a new story event teasing what’s to come.

I guess I know what I’m playing tonight.